The attack on former President Donald Trump has sparked national alarm. On Sunday, September 15, Trump was the target of an assassination attempt while playing golf at his West Palm Beach club, according to the FBI. Law enforcement quickly secured the area after Secret Service agents opened fire on a gunman who then fled the scene.
At a news conference, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said that thanks to the testimony of an individual who saw the shooter, authorities were able to identify and locate a suspect. The suspect is Routh Ryan, a 58-year-old man. The shooter was about 360 yards from Trump at the time.
The AK-47 rifle used in the attack, along with two backpacks, a scope and a camera, were found near where the shooter positioned himself to target Trump during his golf game.
The FBI is investigating the motives behind the assassination attempt. Social media posts indicate that Routh Ryan, who had expressed support for Trump in his 2020 re-election bid, had more recently expressed support for Biden and Harris. He had also taken action in support of Ukraine, calling on foreigners to join the fight in the country.
Trump’s campaign partner JD Vance shared that he had spoken with the former president and that he was in surprisingly good spirits despite the incident. However, there are still many gray areas to be cleared up surrounding the case.
The assassination attempt has shaken America and raised questions about the safety of former presidents and political figures in general. The incident is a reminder of the vulnerability of public figures and the need for constant vigilance against violent threats that can come from certain individuals.